Topic: Economy and finance

The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) have recently published a very helpful briefing paper on local government finance in Scotland. This swift read provides an overview of the SPICe briefing, and is aimed to give Irish officers and councillors a better idea of how the funding system works in Scotland.

The 2012 Report of the Mahon Tribunal recommended that the Minister of the Environment’s enforcement powers should be transferred to an Independent Planning Regulator, who would also be charged with carrying out investigations into systemic problems in the Irish planning system as well as educational and research functions.

The future of Europe and the policy engines that will drive it are being widely debated all across the EU. This briefing looks at this evolving debate across the EU, the context for Ireland, rise of Invest EU and explore why local government should continue to influence its outcome.

Brexit, the costs of the new children’s hospital and the Nurse’s strike dominated Oireachtas proceedings in January. Legislation included the Local Government Rates Bill, Judicial Appointments Bill and No Consent, No Sale Bill.

In the second instalment in our series of briefings exploring winning programmes from the 2018 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, we look at the winner of the Promoting Economic Development category – Galway County Council's successful bid for the European Region of Gastronomy in 2018.

Ensuring availability and affordability of housing, to rent or buy, and market stability, poses major policy challenges for 2019 and beyond, with no easy answers and few risk-free options. This briefing covers the past, present and future of the current housing crisis and what we can do.

With the recent announcements to advance the plebiscites for executive mayors in Cork, Limerick and Waterford, LGiU Ireland looks at one of the most interesting dynamics arising from appointment of Metro Mayors in the UK.